NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday, March 18, 2021, said he may likely ask for a moratorium in the acceptance of travelers coming from Metro Manila due to its rising number of Covid-19 cases.
Lacson said he will attend a Zoom meeting with other officials from Western Visayas to discuss the issue and get updates on the current situation in Metro Manila Friday.
"Definitely, we may ask for a travel moratorium," Lacson said.
The governor was also concerned over the number of Covid-19 cases coming from Panay Island. He said they are monitoring the situation there as well.
Lacson said they will continue to strictly enforce uniform travel protocols, requiring all travelers coming into the province to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result.
"Based on Resolution No. 101 which allows this request, I feel that it is the best protocol in order to protect the province," Lacson said.
Based on data released by the Provincial Health Office, as of March 17, 2021, Negros Occidental had a total of 7,060 Covid-19 cases with recoveries at 6,649 and fatalities at 218.
The number of active cases stood at 193.